National Republican., 1887-12-17
The Treasury Surplus.

EDITOR NATIONAL kEPUBLICAN: SUB.
init herewith few suggestions In regard to
the troublesome treasury surplus, and
common sense hints as to how It could be
reduced, and the general welfare OF the
nation improved. Let Congress provide
proper means and make ample approprla-
tion to establish shlpbuilding and equip q
navy commensurate to the requirements
and dignity Of great government; this
would give employment to thousands Of
cur best mechanics and bring from abroad
otherssuch as are desirable. Let sufficient
Notifications be erected and equipped TO
secure us from an attack or invasion at any
point, by an enemy upon the seas; this
would employ other thousands, and con-
sumo large quantities of material that could
Re asssy pcvSs sSPR'd s% our sssm Smo
ship mail facilities with other countries,
with suitable subsidies, and
thereby largely improve our commerce and
trade with other nations; build postal tele-
graph lines, snd thereby reduce the enor-
nous rates now charged for the necessary
nee Of the telegraph, and break down one
Of the greatest monopolies In the land; this
to thousands Of men and consume much
home produced material; pass an act ap-
pfopriating sufficient amount to purchase
a suitable site, and to erect q building. Of
sufficient capacity to accommodate the
postoffice and other government and muni.
cipal Offices now occupying rented buildings
In this city; provide for the purchase and
geological garden near this city; pass the
"Blair" educational sbill, or
some similar one; make sufficient appro-
priation to complete our river front or flats
Improvement and to complete our new
water works; take into consideration and
make proper provision for the opening and
completion Of the proposed grand avenue
father Of the country; last, but not least,
let Congress pass the soldiers arrears Of
pension bill, the dependent soldiers pen
Eion bill, and the equalization bounty bill.
These arc equitable and just. The soldiers
who applied for pensions since July /, 1880,
II entitled at all, are entitled to arrears as
justly as those who applied before that
date so long as Congress compels them to
furnish the same amount Of evidence. Those
who are so unfortunate as not to be able
to find witnesses and are disabled
by reason of their service In the army should
be provided for also. 1t seems to me that
each and every one Of the measures men
i toned are right, proper, and necessary. In
Lhis way the surplus would be expended at
home and would be put In general circula-
tion to the building up and enriching all
manner Of workers and producers In our
country; not sending away our wealth, as
Mr.. Cleveland and his party suggest, for the
purchase OF cheap commodities In other
countries. Cheap articles are very difficult
for the poor man to obtain when he has no
work and no money.
All men Of thought and sense know that
when industries are crippled or destroyed
and country impoverished that. no matter
how cheap the necessities Of life are, the
wage classes are the great sufferers.
IL 1t be necessary to reduce the amount
paid into the treasury annually remove the
revenue from tobacco and spirits distilled
from fruits, and put on the free list all
articles Of universal consumption by the
great maeses; which articles are not pro-
duced In this country in sufficient quaint.
ties.
II the Democratic Congress had passed
some such acts at the last or preceding
session, and the Democratic President had
signed the river and haTbor bill, the de-
fciency bill, and the dependent soldiers
bill at the close OF the last Congress some
relief would have been given to the busi.
fear of monetary crisis would have been
arrested, and the Secretary Of the Treasury
would not have been compelled to enrich
the holders OF bonds by purchasing them
at On enormous premium. 1t is hoped
that this Congress, though 1t has Demo-
cratic majority, will do something for the
general good Of the country, and not waste
the entire time OF the session figuring and
scheming as to how to secure the election
OF President for another term. G.